An esteemed general practitioner and medical educationalist has been appointed as the new Dean of Keele’s School of Medicine. 

Professor Peter Coventry has been appointed to lead the School having previously served as Deputy Dean, and has combined playing pivotal roles in developing the School of Medicine with clinical work as a GP partner in Telford.  

He started his career at Keele in 2006, working with academic and professional support colleagues on the development of Keele’s sector-leading undergraduate Medicine course, co-leading the development and then initial delivery of the first year of the course.  

He followed this by directing the development of the curriculum and being responsible for ensuring the course received GMC approval. The course continues to be highly successful in producing graduates ready to hit the ground running as Foundation doctors.  

In 2015 he became Director of Undergraduate Programmes in the School of Medicine, and then, following the merger of the Schools of Medicine and Primary, Community and Social Care, he combined this with being Deputy Dean of the new school until 2022.  

Outside of Keele and his work as a GP, he is focused on promoting high quality medical education through his quality assurance work for the GMC, and he has been active in working with colleagues on nationally important projects including exploring approaches to proposed changes in undergraduate medical education. 

He has extended the scope of his educational leadership beyond undergraduate medicine during his time as Deputy Dean, and he ensured that the clinical courses have been successfully delivered during the Covid pandemic. 

Professor Coventry said: “Having been involved with Keele’s School of Medicine since its early days, I have been privileged during that time to not only see it thrive as an established, leading Medical School, but also to have worked with wonderful colleagues in enabling it to go from strength to strength. I therefore couldn’t be happier to be taking on this new role as Dean, and look forward to working with colleagues across Keele, our NHS partners, and in the community, to ensure the School’s continued success.” 

Professor Christian Mallen, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences added: “After a nationally competitive process I am delighted Peter has been appointed to the role. He is a world-leading educator who has unrivalled knowledge of the field. His leadership is exactly what is needed to continue the outstanding success of the School.”